A CONCEPT PROOF OF POTENTIAL OF EXPERIMENTAL DRIED MUCILAGE ISOLATED FROM THE SEEDS OF OCIMUM BASILICUM AS A DISINTEGRANT Research Article

In an attempt to avoid complexities associated with development of synthetic and semi synthetic excipients, comparatively less explored area of herbal products was tried. The present investigation was undertaken with a view to develop fast disintegrating tablet of Paracetamol using dried mucilage (DM) prepared by drying the mucilage isolated from the seeds of Ocimum basilicum as novel disintegrating agent. Selection of dried mucilage as a novel excipients can be justified because of its desired functionality. The fast disintegrating tablets of paracetamol were prepared by adopting conventional wet granulation technology. The tablets were evaluated for characteristics such as weight variation, crushing strength, disintegration time and dissolution rate and compared with characteristics of fast disintegrating tablets of paracetamol prepared by using established disintegrants crosscarmellose sodium, crosspovidone and sodium starch glycolate. Fast disintegrating formulations prepared by using established disintegrants and dried mucilage as novel disintegrating agent exhibited fast disintegration of tablets followed by dissolution of the active (paracetamol).There was no sign of interaction between the dried mucilage and paracetamol as revealed in results of preliminary interaction studies. The statistical analysis of experimental data of disintegration studies suggested that Paracetamol tablets prepared by using dried mucilage as disintegrating agent resulted in rapid disintegration of the tablet comparable to established disintegrants.